Governor Phillip Park, Palm Beach

Description

Governor Phillip Park is a gorgeous park on a thin strip of land at the northernmost tip of the Barrenjoey peninsula. It is truly a blessed spot, with an ocean beach on one side and a surreal blue-green bay on the other. From the park, you can see the emerald line of the bay above the green of a golf course. Huge Norfolk pines provide shade but there is also plenty of sunlight at this park. The playground is as beautiful as they come, and modern. Instead of an outdated play structure, there are spinners of all sorts, two space nets (pyramid rope climbers)- one around a tree, swings, and best of all, two gigantic row boats of dark, attractive wood where kids can let their imaginations paddle free.After playing at the park, you have two options for food. You can walk north a short way to Boathouse for a reasonably-priced, casual (you pay up front) meal with one of the most stunning views of any restaurant. Or you can walk toward the beach and slightly north to Dunes, which has a restaurant and an outdoor kiosk with pretty seating and views of the park. At the kiosk you can get an icecream popsicle called a Splice- so yummy- made of pineapple-lime ice with vanilla icecream in the middle.On the beach side of this park, you will find Palm Beach North, a windy beach with high dunes you can walk to. Look up at Barrenjoey lighthouse, or even better, take the hiking trail up to it (see info below). The park is named after Governor Arthur Phillip, who was the founder of the settlement that is now called Sydney, and lead a very exciting life, starting at the young age of 13 when he was apprenticed to the British merchant navy.

Photo Gallery

The beautiful trees and playground with spinner, see saw, rope climbey, and giant rowboat.

Looking across the golf course to the water.

The sign makes you feel history!

More fun play equipment!

A wonderful strand of trees.

Climby web around a tree trunk.

A little girl enjoys the pyramid rope climby at the playground.

Picnic table and sandstone stairs.

Shaded BBQ area.

Ladies enjoy a swing while looking up at the Palm Beach beachhouses.

Picnic table in paradise.

View across the park to Pittwater.

I love these sandstone steps!

Directions

Governor Phillip Park is located on the thin strip of land at the northernmost tip of the Barrenjoey peninsula.Follow Barrenjoey Rd all the way to the northernmost tip of the peninsula where it curves to the right. Turn left at the sign for Governor Phillip Park and the playground is on your right, near the main road.Bus L90 has a stop right by the playground. It comes every 30 minutes, and goes all the way to Central Station, with various stops including Avalon and Wynyard.Barrenjoey lighthouse is open on Sundays 11-3 with tours every half hour. Cost to tour is $5 for adults and $2 for children. The hike begins at the northern end of the driveway that leads into Governor Phillip Park.Dunes Restaurant and Kiosk, 1193 Barrenjoey Road, Palm Beach, call 9974 3332.Boathouse, call 9974 3868.